"Sure, Brother Tong Hu, you're definitely incorporating a balanced approach to teaching."
"I can't take all the credit, Miss.Bei, Tong Hu doesn't know much about teaching. Recently, we've been exposed to many crafts we hadn't encountered before. During our breaks, we often gather to learn the new techniques you've been teaching. But your concept of balancing work and rest is truly commendable."
"Tong Hu, Miss Bei, what are you talking about? Come over here, it's time for the flower passing with music game. When the music stops, someone has to perform. Hurry up." Tong Jing pulled the two over to the long table.
Li Yizheng, as the eldest present, sat facing the bonfire, drumming. The first flower stopped in the hands of Tong Sinan. Everyone cheered.
From elders to youngsters, the tradition continued. Sinan and the family guards stood in the center, facing Li Yizheng and the long table, and recited the first and fourteenth chapters of the "Classic of Filial Piety."
Confucius said: "A virtuous person shows filial piety to their parents. With sincere love and respect, they serve their rulers loyally. If they respect their older siblings, they will be obedient to their elders. If they manage their household well, they can govern the state. Thus, their actions are accomplished internally, and their reputation lasts for generations."
(Note: This is a paraphrased translation of the text for clarity.)
The flickering firelight cast a golden edge around the two youths' figures. General Huo stood up and approached Elder Li, unable to contain his excitement as he asked the question burning in his heart: "Children, come to your Uncle, and tell me why you chose specifically to recite these two chapters?"
Sinan respectfully bowed and stood upright, his voice clear as he replied, "Aside from the first chapter, which lays out the fundamental principles, Master Kong elaborates on the virtues and principles in the fourteenth chapter. He clearly explains how filial piety can translate into loyalty and honor. He provides specific methods for demonstrating filial piety as loyalty and respect for elders. In the third section, it is explained that one who can manage a household can also manage a country. It teaches us that the path of filial piety starts from within, extends outward, and lasts from the present to the distant future. Virtue is established in the present, and honor endures for generations. So, by reciting the Classic of Filial Piety, I intend to cultivate filial piety as a virtue for my future."
"Well done! I believe in you, nephew. Here, take this jade pendant, it's a family heirloom. You've made the Huo family proud."
Clap, clap, clap, Cheng Mo stood up and applauded. "Excellent! Cultivating oneself, managing the family, governing the country, and bringing peace to the world. I believe Sinan must have also studied the Great Learning. We look forward to seeing you shine in the imperial examination at the Dongbin County Academy before the Mid-Autumn Festival in August!"
Sinan and Jiawei were both overjoyed upon hearing this. In the region, there were official-run primary schools and county schools, with Dongbin County having county schools, district schools, and prefectural schools. Graduates from the prefectural schools could either seek official positions through recommendations or continue their studies in the prefectural schools or participate in the imperial examination in the capital. The prefectural schools were essentially pre-examination training programs for those who had graduated from district schools, lasting three months or longer. In essence, they were large-scale coaching classes that focused more on apprenticing with masters or networking. Only those who passed the primary school examinations or excelled in the county schools were eligible to take the entrance exams for prefectural schools. With Cheng Mo's words, he had just made a leap of three levels.
"Young man, thanks to Lord Dongbin, we will not let Lord Dongbin down!" Finished, did Cheng Mo just recruit followers on the spot? How did he become buddies with him all of a sudden?
"Hey, I say, Brother Mo, are you recruiting lackeys here? Are you snatching people in front of my Tong family patriarch?" After the two boys expressed their gratitude and returned to their seats, the drumbeats resumed, and the flower-passing continued. Whispering to Cheng Mo, Xiangbei teased him.
"What do you mean by lackeys? How can you say snatching people? Sinan is your blood brother, of course is MO's own family,my brother-in-law, which means he's our own flesh and blood. Do we need to snatch him? Hmm?" Cheng Mo took advantage of the situation so effortlessly, leaving Xiangbei red-faced and unable to retort, "Your face is thicker than the city wall, isn't it? Who's your brother-in-law? Who said he's our own flesh and blood?"
"If you don't agree with me, who else can you agree with? Are you still thinking about that dead Qiao Er your mother promised you? Look at him, look at how he's flattering your mother and uncle as if they're his own family. Are you going to choose Qiao Er? Is it Qiao Er, isn't it?" This was a sore spot for Cheng Mo, and it really couldn't be touched.
He was already jealous of the close relationship between the Qiao and Huo families. Being touched on this matter made him uncomfortable, and his voice raised suddenly, scaring Xiangbei, who wished he could cover Cheng Mo's mouth quickly. Coincidentally, the drumbeats stopped, the applause and drums ceased, and there was an eerie silence in the crowd, with the flower bouquet still in Qiao Ziqiu's arms, yet to be passed on.